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Circumcision: Should I Keep My Son's Penis Natural?

You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.

Circumcision: Should I Keep My Son's Penis Natural?

1

Get theFacts

2

CompareOptions

3

YourFeelings

4

YourDecision

5

QuizYourself

6

Your Summary

Get the facts

Your options

Keep your son's penis natural.

Have your son circumcised.

Key points to remember

Circumcision is surgery.
It causes pain during and after the procedure. After the foreskin is removed, it can't be put back on again. Like all surgeries, circumcision
has risks. Major problems, such as scarring of the penis, are rare. Minor risks
include bleeding and infection.

Some parents
choose circumcision based on religious or cultural reasons.

Health benefits of circumcision include being less likely to get urinary tract infections (UTIs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Circumcision is not just done in newborns. Keep in mind that
your son may have his own feelings about circumcision and can decide later in
life if he wants a circumcised penis.

No matter whether your son is circumcised or his penis stays natural, his penis needs to be kept clean to help prevent infections and other problems.

Male
circumcision is a surgery to remove the foreskin, the
natural covering of the penis. The foreskin provides sensation and
lubrication for the penis. After the foreskin is removed, it can't be put back on again.

Some
swelling and slight bleeding are normal after circumcision. Your baby may be
fussy and have trouble sleeping for the first few days. He may feel some pain
for a few days when he urinates. For about 2 weeks, he may feel some pain
whenever urine or stool touches the tip of the penis.

Your baby
will probably start to feel better within 3 to 4 days after circumcision. Even
though he may feel better, his penis may look worse. The penis will usually
look better about 7 to 10 days after circumcision.

It's important to keep your son's penis clean whether
he has been circumcised or not. Keeping your young son's penis clean may help prevent infections and other problems.

In the first year of
life,
urinary tract infections (UTIs) happen less often in
circumcised boys than in boys who are not circumcised. But UTIs are not common.

Some studies have shown that circumcised
men are a little less likely than men who have not been circumcised to get or spread a sexually transmitted infection (STI), including
HIV.

Your personal preference, religion, cultural belief, or ethnic background may affect your decision. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says the health benefits of circumcision outweigh the risks of the surgery. But it's up to you whether you have your baby circumcised.footnote 1

Of 100 baby boys who are not circumcised, 2 may have a UTI. This means that the other 98 may not.

Circumcision also may reduce the risk of phimosis, which happens when the foreskin becomes too tight to be pulled back and causes swelling or other problems. (This can be corrected easily in most cases.)

Of 100 baby boys who are circumcised, none of them will have this problem, because the foreskin has been removed.

Of 100 baby boys who are not circumcised, 3 to 4 may have tightening of the foreskin within the first 15 months of life. This means that 96 to 97 may not.

Risks

The quality of the evidence about the risks of circumcision is borderline.

One risk of circumcision is that the procedure may cause bleeding heavy enough to require medical care. Out of 100 baby boys who are circumcised, 0 to 30 may have bleeding that is serious enough to need medical care. This means that 70 to 100 may not.

Understanding the evidence

Some evidence is better than other evidence. Evidence comes from studies that look at how well treatments and tests work and how safe they are. For many reasons, some studies are more reliable than others. The better the evidence is—the higher its quality—the more we can trust it.

Another thing to understand is that the evidence can't predict what's going to happen in your case. When evidence tells us that 2 out of 100 people who have a certain test or treatment may have a certain result and that 98 out of 100 may not, there's no way to know if you will be one of the 2 or one of the 98.

Your child was born with a natural penis, and it is fine to
keep it that way.

When
cleaning your son's natural penis, be careful not to
force the foreskin to retract. As your son gets older, teach him how to wash
and care for his penis.

There may be reasons later in
life when your son may need a circumcision. A boy or man may have problems
retracting the foreskin or may have swelling of the foreskin that requires
circumcision. But these problems are rare.

Circumcision is not
just done in newborns. Keep in mind that your son can decide on his own later
in life if he wants a circumcised penis.

Compare your options

Compare

What is usually involved?

What are the benefits?

What are the risks and side effects?

Have your son
circumcised Have your son
circumcised

For a baby in his first month, medicine may be used to numb the penis during circumcision. Your baby will probably be awake for the procedure.

Some studies have shown that circumcised men are a little
less likely than men who have not been circumcised to get or spread a
sexually transmitted infection (STI), including
HIV.

Any man, especially if he has
high-risk sex, can get STIs or HIV. The best way to
prevent STIs is to teach people about risk factors and the importance of
avoiding high-risk sex.

Personal stories about circumcision

These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.

I had my
three sons circumcised. None of them ever had a problem from the surgery. I
know it hurt, but it didn't last long and they all healed quickly. It was
important to me to follow our religious customs.

Robert, age 42

When I was
young, my father taught me how to keep my penis clean, and I have never had any
problems. Most boys in my gym classes were circumcised, but I never felt that I
was strange or different because I wasn't. When my son is born, we will not
have him circumcised.

Aidan, age 25

When our son
William was born, we didn't have any reason to have him circumcised. We
discussed it with our doctor and decided not to have the surgery. When William
is older, he can decide for himself if he wants to have the
procedure.

Elise, age
49

When our first son was born, we had him
circumcised. All the men in my family are circumcised. But the procedure was
painful and very stressful for him, so when our second son was born, we decided
to leave him uncircumcised. We decided to spare him that pain. Both our sons are healthy and
happy. Neither seems to care that their penises do not look exactly alike. I
feel we made the right decision.

Jeff, age 29

What matters most to you?

Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.

Reasons to choose circumcision

Reasons to keep my son's penis natural

My religious beliefs make circumcision the best choice for my son.

My religious beliefs are not a factor in my decision.

More important

Equally important

More important

Most of the men in my family are circumcised, and I want my son to be circumcised like them.

Most of the men in my family are not circumcised, and I want my son to have a natural penis like them.

More important

Equally important

More important

The risks of surgery for my baby don't bother me.

I'm worried about the risks of surgery and how I would feel if something went wrong.

More important

Equally important

More important

I'm worried that my son won't fit in when he is older if he isn't circumcised.

Many boys are not circumcised. I'm not worried about my son fitting in.

More important

Equally important

More important

My other important reasons:

My other important reasons:

More important

Equally important

More important

Where are you leaning now?

Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.

Choosing circumcision

Keeping my son's penis natural

Leaning toward

Undecided

Leaning toward

What else do you need to make your decision?

Check the facts

1.1, Is circumcision a pain-free and risk-free surgery?

YesSorry, that's not right. Circumcision is surgery. It causes pain during and after the procedure. And like all surgeries, it has risks.

NoYou're right. Circumcision is surgery. It causes pain during and after the procedure. And like all surgeries, it has risks.

I'm not sureIt may help to go back and read "Get the Facts." Circumcision is surgery. It causes pain during and after the procedure. And like all surgeries, it has risks.

2.2, Does circumcision have health benefits?

YesYou're right. Health benefits of circumcision include being less likely to get urinary tract infections (UTIs) or to get or spread sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV.

NoSorry, that's not right. Health benefits of circumcision include being less likely to get urinary tract infections (UTIs) or to get or spread sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV.

I'm not sureIt may help to go back and read "Get the Facts." Health benefits of circumcision include being less likely to get urinary tract infections (UTIs) or to get or spread sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV.

3.3, Is circumcision only done in newborns?

YesSorry, that's not right. Circumcision is not just done in newborns. Keep in mind that your son may have his own feelings about circumcision when he is older, and he can decide later if he wants a circumcised penis or not.

NoYou're right. Circumcision is not just done in newborns. Keep in mind that your son may have his own feelings about circumcision and can decide later in life if he wants a circumcised penis.

I'm not sureIt may help to go back and read "Get the Facts." Circumcision is not just done in newborns. Keep in mind that your son may have his own feelings about circumcision and can decide later in life if he wants a circumcised penis.

You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.

Circumcision: Should I Keep My Son's Penis Natural?

Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.

Get the facts

Compare your options

What matters most to you?

Where are you leaning now?

What else do you need to make your decision?

1. Get the Facts

Your options

Keep your son's penis natural.

Have your son circumcised.

Key points to remember

Circumcision is surgery.
It causes pain during and after the procedure. After the foreskin is removed, it can't be put back on again. Like all surgeries, circumcision
has risks. Major problems, such as scarring of the penis, are rare. Minor risks
include bleeding and infection.

Some parents
choose circumcision based on religious or cultural reasons.

Health benefits of circumcision include being less likely to get urinary tract infections (UTIs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Circumcision is not just done in newborns. Keep in mind that
your son may have his own feelings about circumcision and can decide later in
life if he wants a circumcised penis.

No matter whether your son is circumcised or his penis stays natural, his penis needs to be kept clean to help prevent infections and other problems.

FAQs

What is circumcision?

Male
circumcision is a surgery to remove the foreskin, the
natural covering of the penis. The foreskin provides sensation and
lubrication for the penis. After the foreskin is removed, it can't be put back on again.

If it is done, circumcision is usually done soon after birth.

When should a baby not be circumcised?

If you don't want your baby to be circumcised, he shouldn't be circumcised.
Circumcision is a decision you make because you want it for your baby.

Circumcision may not be safe if your baby is
sick or weak, has a problem with his penis, or has a family history of bleeding
problems.

What can you expect after circumcision?

Some
swelling and slight bleeding are normal after circumcision. Your baby may be
fussy and have trouble sleeping for the first few days. He may feel some pain
for a few days when he urinates. For about 2 weeks, he may feel some pain
whenever urine or stool touches the tip of the penis.

Your baby
will probably start to feel better within 3 to 4 days after circumcision. Even
though he may feel better, his penis may look worse. The penis will usually
look better about 7 to 10 days after circumcision.

It's important to keep your son's penis clean whether
he has been circumcised or not. Keeping your young son's penis clean may help prevent infections and other problems.

What are the risks of circumcision?

Problems from
circumcision aren't common. If they occur, they are usually short-term, such
as minor bleeding or infection. Other possible problems include pain and
irritation of the tip of the penis.

Long-term problems are even
more uncommon, but they can include damage to the opening of the
urethra, heavy bleeding, severe infection, or
scarring.

Are there benefits to circumcision?

Circumcision has some health benefits. For example:

In the first year of
life,
urinary tract infections (UTIs) happen less often in
circumcised boys than in boys who are not circumcised. But UTIs are not common.

Some studies have shown that circumcised
men are a little less likely than men who have not been circumcised to get or spread a sexually transmitted infection (STI), including
HIV.

Your personal preference, religion, cultural belief, or ethnic background may affect your decision. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says the health benefits of circumcision outweigh the risks of the surgery. But it's up to you whether you have your baby circumcised.1

Of 100 baby boys who are not circumcised, 2 may have a UTI. This means that the other 98 may not.

Circumcision also may reduce the risk of phimosis, which happens when the foreskin becomes too tight to be pulled back and causes swelling or other problems. (This can be corrected easily in most cases.)

Of 100 baby boys who are circumcised, none of them will have this problem, because the foreskin has been removed.

Of 100 baby boys who are not circumcised, 3 to 4 may have tightening of the foreskin within the first 15 months of life. This means that 96 to 97 may not.

Risks

The quality of the evidence about the risks of circumcision is borderline.

One risk of circumcision is that the procedure may cause bleeding heavy enough to require medical care. Out of 100 baby boys who are circumcised , 0 to 30 may have bleeding that is serious enough to need medical care. This means that 70 to 100 may not.

Understanding the evidence

Some evidence is better than other evidence. Evidence comes from studies that look at how well treatments and tests work and how safe they are. For many reasons, some studies are more reliable than others. The better the evidence is—the higher its quality—the more we can trust it.

Another thing to understand is that the evidence can't predict what's going to happen in your case. When evidence tells us that 2 out of 100 people who have a certain test or treatment may have a certain result and that 98 out of 100 may not, there's no way to know if you will be one of the 2 or one of the 98.

What if you decide to keep your son's penis natural?

Your child was born with a natural penis, and it is fine to
keep it that way.

When
cleaning your son's natural penis, be careful not to
force the foreskin to retract. As your son gets older, teach him how to wash
and care for his penis.

There may be reasons later in
life when your son may need a circumcision. A boy or man may have problems
retracting the foreskin or may have swelling of the foreskin that requires
circumcision. But these problems are rare.

Circumcision is not
just done in newborns. Keep in mind that your son can decide on his own later
in life if he wants a circumcised penis.

2. Compare your options

Have your son
circumcised

Keep your son's penis
natural

What is usually involved?

For a baby in his first month, medicine may be used to numb the penis during circumcision. Your baby will probably be awake for the procedure.

Some studies have shown that circumcised men are a little
less likely than men who have not been circumcised to get or spread a
sexually transmitted infection (STI), including
HIV.

Any man, especially if he has
high-risk sex, can get STIs or HIV. The best way to
prevent STIs is to teach people about risk factors and the importance of
avoiding high-risk sex.

Personal stories

Personal stories about circumcision

These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.

"I had my three sons circumcised. None of them ever had a problem from the surgery. I know it hurt, but it didn't last long and they all healed quickly. It was important to me to follow our religious customs."

— Robert, age 42

"When I was young, my father taught me how to keep my penis clean, and I have never had any problems. Most boys in my gym classes were circumcised, but I never felt that I was strange or different because I wasn't. When my son is born, we will not have him circumcised."

— Aidan, age 25

"When our son William was born, we didn't have any reason to have him circumcised. We discussed it with our doctor and decided not to have the surgery. When William is older, he can decide for himself if he wants to have the procedure."

— Elise, age
49

"When our first son was born, we had him circumcised. All the men in my family are circumcised. But the procedure was painful and very stressful for him, so when our second son was born, we decided to leave him uncircumcised. We decided to spare him that pain. Both our sons are healthy and happy. Neither seems to care that their penises do not look exactly alike. I feel we made the right decision."

— Jeff, age 29

3. What matters most to you?

Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.

Reasons to choose circumcision

Reasons to keep my son's penis natural

My religious beliefs make circumcision the best choice for my son.

My religious beliefs are not a factor in my decision.

More important

Equally important

More important

Most of the men in my family are circumcised, and I want my son to be circumcised like them.

Most of the men in my family are not circumcised, and I want my son to have a natural penis like them.

More important

Equally important

More important

The risks of surgery for my baby don't bother me.

I'm worried about the risks of surgery and how I would feel if something went wrong.

More important

Equally important

More important

I'm worried that my son won't fit in when he is older if he isn't circumcised.

Many boys are not circumcised. I'm not worried about my son fitting in.

More important

Equally important

More important

My other important reasons:

My other important reasons:

More important

Equally important

More important

4. Where are you leaning now?

Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.

Choosing circumcision

Keeping my son's penis natural

Leaning toward

Undecided

Leaning toward

5. What else do you need to make your decision?

Check the facts

1.
Is circumcision a pain-free and risk-free surgery?

Yes

No

I'm not sure

You're right. Circumcision is surgery. It causes pain during and after the procedure. And like all surgeries, it has risks.

2.
Does circumcision have health benefits?

Yes

No

I'm not sure

You're right. Health benefits of circumcision include being less likely to get urinary tract infections (UTIs) or to get or spread sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV.

3.
Is circumcision only done in newborns?

Yes

No

I'm not sure

You're right. Circumcision is not just done in newborns. Keep in mind that your son may have his own feelings about circumcision and can decide later in life if he wants a circumcised penis.

Decide what's next

1.
Do you understand the options available to you?

Yes

No

2.
Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you?

Yes

No

3.
Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice?

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